Co-operative chairman quits amid Flowers’ drug shame
Len Wardle quit his role as chairman of the Co-operative Group, this month, amid drug revelations that dominated the press.
He resigned as leader of the group, including its food, drink and grocery retail businesses, after media reports claimed the former chairman of The Co-operative Bank , Paul Flowers, had been caught allegedly buying and using illegal drugs.
A video on the Mail on Sunday website allegedly shows Flowers handing over £300 for cocaine.
Wardle said: "The recent revelations about the behaviour of Paul Flowers, the former chair of The Co-operative Bank, have raised a number of serious questions for both the Bank and the Group.
“I led the board that appointed Paul Flowers to lead the bank board and under those circumstances I feel that it is right that I step down now, ahead of my planned retirement in May next year.”
Wardle was replaced by current group deputy chairwomen and chief executive of the Lincolnshire Co-operative Society Ursula Lidbetter.